From here to...well...it SEEMS like an eternity

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

*******SEAC HQ, Rangoon, April 5, 1943, Burmese Python Wargame******

Voice of Staffer 1 (umpire): <heard on PA system> Attention all Burmese Python players, it has come to my attention that some players are trying to peak into the umpire's room during restroom breaks. This is unacceptable. Also, there is a request that all participants bathe at least every two days. Please see to this before Admiral Mountbatten comes by later. Thank you. Game weather today will be...wait for it....thunderstorms <a groan is heard from the Blue Team room>

OMG, you're killing me, Cap! [:D] Then again, what's new?[;)]

Edit: Yes, yes, I'm trying to get caught up on my reading. [:'(]

[USSAmerica]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

SITREP: Burma and Siam, April 9, 1943

The Japs, for their part, must still be getting some supplies as they had plenty of Emperor Brand Kool-Aid, refusing to retreat even though there is a Jap-controlled (but vacant) jungle hex to the West.

[Cap Mandrake]

I once new a girl lived in Fak Fak
Not one lady hump did she lack lack

Sure, she was brown
But after painting the town

I couldn't wait to get her on her back back


******Joint Naval Command Center, SWPac, Darwin, 08:25, April 25, 1943*******


Sparks XXIV: Sir! I have a message from Number 7 of VP101 out of Kiamana Beach. That is the Coronado group in New Guinea. You had best hear this. <flips switch>


Voice over Radio:...repeat...have spotted 4 destroyers and one Jap carrier headed West....our position 65 nm East of Biak Island..moving in for a closer look.

RAN Cmdr: Biak? <glances toward map> Ah, yes, they mean to hit our boys at Babo.


Voice over Radio: This is Emerald seven, emerald seven, Come in Dodge, over.


Sparks XXIV: Go ahead emerald seven this is Dodge, over.


Voice over Radio: Yes, we want to modify our report. That is 4 destroyers and one 4,000 ton, freighter, over.


Sparks XXIV: Roger that, Emerald seven.

RAN Cmdr: Have them confirm course and speed. Bloody amateurs. Have somebody get me a copy of the USN ship identification guide. There is something odd. Any school child can distinguish a carrier from a 4,000 ton steamer. <begins mumbling>

[witpqs]

Only one steamer with four destroyers??? Hmmm.........

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Only one steamer with four destroyers??? Hmmm.........

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking.


*************Joint Naval Command Center, SWPac, Darwin, 10:15, April 25, 1943*******

A young, well tanned RAN Cmdr browses through a USN ship identification book. He turns to page 112. His mouth opens and a croaking sound (sort of like a half-run-over rabbit) emerges.

[witpqs]

Out-Standing! [:D]

[Cap Mandrake]

Anyone want to guess what is on the page that says "Akagi" [:D] The is a USN sub skipper that knows all too well.



BTW...the real Akagi Maru was renovated as an armed merchant cruiser in early 1942 (with several 5 or 6 inch guns as I recall) so it seems M&M Publications may have some liability. Their entry is doubly wrong.




FYI...for your WITP enjoyment, google "Akagi Maru" and look on page 2 of the hits. [:)]

[witpqs]

FYI...for your WITP enjoyment, google "Akagi Maru" and look on page 2 of the hits.

Okay:

Tonga Tea Party Part Deux

Way to go Cap! "This is the kind of spontaneous publicity that makes people!"

[For bonus points, what actor, which movie?]

[rtrapasso]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

FYI...for your WITP enjoyment, google "Akagi Maru" and look on page 2 of the hits.

Okay:

Tonga Tea Party Part Deux

Way to go Cap! "This is the kind of spontaneous publicity that makes people!"

[For bonus points, what actor, which movie?]

Steve Martin as Navin R. Johnson in "The Jerk".

[witpqs]

Correct!


Tell us what Bob has won!

Bob has won a no expense paid trip to WWII(c). Coming soon (maybe) to a user forum near you, WWII(c) will (maybe) feature the long-rumored AE (if it really exists)...

[Cap Mandrake]

*****Sitrep, Operation Inchworm II, April 23-24, 1943****

April 23: As the surface threat appears minimal to the landing forces at Babo, Prince of Wales and her escorts return to Darwin. Similarly, the troop transports, now empty, return toward Darwin to prepare for Inchworm IV. AK's, MSW's, a flotilla of PT boats and Durban remain at Babo. The Allied assault at Babo succeeds. The airfield is captured. A unit of Dutch airfield support troops from Kai is already aboard LCT's and headed for Babo.

April 24: Coronados operating from Kiamana spot a very well escorted TF East of Biak. As there is no apparent reason for a transport TF to be in harm's way there, the alarm is sent through SWPac. A squadron each of P-38's and Beaufighters from Kai are flying LRCAP. There is no evident CAP over the TF near Biak and there is no scouting activity by carrier aircraft near Babo but if there are carriers about, it is a perfect loaction to hit Allied shipping at Babo. The airfield is in fairly good shape (level 3). A squadron of P-38's, some two squadrons of RAAF fighters are ordered into Babo. SWPac solicits volunteer B-25 quadrons for Babo. [:)] The MSW's and all but 3 AK's are headed back to the safety of Darwin. April 25 could be an interesting day.

Inchworm III: A batallion of Dutch infantry will be landing at Namlea (near Amboina) on the morning of the 25th. They are covered by P-38's from Kai.

[Cap Mandrake]

****Sitrep, SEAC, April 25, 1943*******


Bangkok: The Jap 55th and 56th Divisions were driven back by 12th Army from their entrenchements West of Bangkok on the 24th. Lead elements of 12th Army should lay seige to Bagkok city by the 26th. The Burma Area Army is still pinned on the rail line Northeast of Krung Thep. They are being bombarded by Indian artillery and by bombers from Moulmein. Most likely they will try to escape SE across the river as the potential exit toward Bangkok is now firmly shut.

Bandou: Malaya Army with 2 1/3 Inf Divisions has closed on Bandou which is garrisoned by the two defeated Jap divisions and several IJN units. Supply is limiting here, the nearest base at Tavoy has at lest 50,000 supply but there is a hang up somewhere. The Jap garrison is being heavily bombed from Tavoy.

Singapore: Nearly 200 bombers and 60 Jap fighters there. Evidently, there is a concern about an Allied landing on the West coast of Malaya. That is not in the works for now, but the PM will grow tired of the slog down the Peninsula at some point and call for one of those "more enrgetic remedies" again.

Eastern Fleet: The Royal Navy carriers are repairing leaky toilets and recaulking windows and that kind of thing. The Swordfish have been offloaded to an aircraft reseller in Darwin or something like that. The Avengers are ready and a deal is near to score soem Corsairs from Peru...or is it Ecuador?

Burma Road: The 21st Mixed-Up Brigade on the Burma Road is being hammered by B-25's from Ledo and attacked aily by the Chinese but apparenly the Emperor Kool-aide is holding up. The road is still blocked. Ditto Lashio. Either spot would open the road but it is not to be for now.

[khyberbill]

Any chance of a screen shot or two? Perhaps one could be obtained from M&M enterprises? And thanks for the great read.

[Cap Mandrake]

The Navy saw Japs up by Biak
Sailing perhaps from yon Wewak

it might be Maru
meaning no harm to you

but better to run than get bushwhacked

[HMS Resolution]

I saw this posted on the NY Times today:
&nbsp;
4. February 3rd, 2009 | 2:50 pm

You fashionistas never lose a chance to take a swipe at pleated pants. But they’re so much more comfortable than flat front pants! Every pair of pants I own is pleated. I can go out at lunch and do my stretches and kick boxing exercises in my pleated work pants. Try doing a turning side kick in your trendy flat fronts. I bet my pants can beat up your pants!
- Posted by Milo Minderbinder [/align]&nbsp;
http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/youre-fired-but-your-outfits-great/?ex=1249275600&en=fc3e07e57f05ceb0&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=TM-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M080-ROS-0209-HDR&WT.mc_ev=click#comment-26897
&nbsp;
You wouldn't know anything about that, hmmm?

[Radio]

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Eastern Fleet: The Royal Navy carriers are repairing leaky toilets and recaulking windows and that kind of thing. The Swordfish have been offloaded to an aircraft reseller in Darwin or something like that. The Avengers are ready and a deal is near to score soem Corsairs from Peru...or is it Ecuador?

I recall an anecdote I read - probably from "The Longest Battle" (R. Hough) when an FAA officer was ordered to go see if the Americans could spare a Corsair for the British Pacific Fleet to replace one that had damaged its undercarrige on landing. Having served from the start of the war when a swordfish or sea gladiator was a priceless asset to be heavily guarded he expected to meet a wall of paperwork and bureacuracy but instead was told by the american logistics officer "Sorry, we only issue them by the half dozen, but swipe a bottle of whisky from your wardroom for me and I'll make it a round dozen".

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: RabidGibbon

ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake

Eastern Fleet: The Royal Navy carriers are repairing leaky toilets and recaulking windows and that kind of thing. The Swordfish have been offloaded to an aircraft reseller in Darwin or something like that. The Avengers are ready and a deal is near to score soem Corsairs from Peru...or is it Ecuador?

I recall an anecdote I read - probably from "The Longest Battle" (R. Hough) when an FAA officer was ordered to go see if the Americans could spare a Corsair for the British Pacific Fleet to replace one that had damaged its undercarrige on landing. Having served from the start of the war when a swordfish or sea gladiator was a priceless asset to be heavily guarded he expected to meet a wall of paperwork and bureacuracy but instead was told by the american logistics officer "Sorry, we only issue them by the half dozen, but swipe a bottle of whisky from your wardroom for me and I'll make it a round dozen".

Clearly, the American logistics officer in your vignette had a rudimentary understanding of the law of supply and demand. He was merely suffering from a lack of entrepeneurial vison.

"The color of scarcity is green and it has pictures of dead Presidents on it." Anon.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: HMS Resolution

I saw this posted on the NY Times today:

You fashionistas never lose a chance to take a swipe at pleated pants. But they’re so much more comfortable than flat front pants! Every pair of pants I own is pleated. I can go out at lunch and do my stretches and kick boxing exercises in my pleated work pants. Try doing a turning side kick in your trendy flat fronts. I bet my pants can beat up your pants!
- Posted by Milo Minderbinder [/align]


You wouldn't know anything about that, hmmm?

That is funny. I wonder if they are fine linen trousers. He will be pretty unhappy if a Betty or two appear in the sky and he has to jump into a slit trench.

[Cap Mandrake]

*****Briefing Room, Kai Island Aerodrome (unofficially now called "Snatch Field"), 20:20, April 23, 1943*****


Col. Cathcart: Men, I have some great news! Headquarters has asked for volunteers to fly into Babo, in New Guinea, and make ready for anti-shipping operations. The field is primitive and we won't have our full ground complement, but I think we can make it work. Even better, there may be Jap carriers about! <a murmur of excitement spreads through the room. A single hand is raised. Relunctantly, the Col. calls on the owner of the hand> Yes, Yosansen, what is it?

Yossarian: Sir, did you say carriers?

Col. Cathcart: Yes, Captain, the pride of the Jap fleet.

Yossarian: Well, considering they take so much pride in them won't they try to protect them?

Col. Cathcart: Bah, a few Zeroes. You boys can brush them aside. Think of the opportunity. Why, there could be medals all around.

Yossarian: Oh, you won't be coming with us sir?

Col. Cathcart: Why...no...the burden of command..but God I would dearly love to.

Yossarian: Sir, I think I can speak for the crew, you are welcome to take my spot. I would hate to see you miss out on all the new medals.

Col. Cathcart: <motions to the big MP's near the door who immediately begin their familiar walk>....

[Cap Mandrake]

Malaya Army will delay its main attack at Bandou until arrival of Indian armour and combat engineers in one or two days.

12th Army will lay siege to Bangkok, refit and gain intel.